as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back
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Recent Examples of fall back
Much of it was lofted by tiny gas pockets into the upper water column, only to fall back downward after the bubbles fizzed into the atmosphere.
—
Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
While the monologue was a blast of fresh chaos (or at least the sense of chaos) with Black jamming out with White, the rest of the show didn’t have the same kind of verve, falling back on familiar sketch formulas.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Another one is about leftover debris from the original stellar collision slowly falling back onto the star over millions of years.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
Overnight will be clear and crisp as temperatures fall back into the low to mid-40s.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
While the monologue was a blast of fresh chaos (or at least the sense of chaos) with Black jamming out with White, the rest of the show didn’t have the same kind of verve, falling back on familiar sketch formulas.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Another one is about leftover debris from the original stellar collision slowly falling back onto the star over millions of years.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
Overnight will be clear and crisp as temperatures fall back into the low to mid-40s.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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In turn, Canadian prosecutors will withdraw all 14 murder charges laid against Kenneth Law, lawyer Matthew Gourlay told CBC News.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
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When the San Francisco Chronicle published its investigation, Swalwell’s campaign collapsed within 48 hours, indicating that the evidence was sufficiently substantial to immediately persuade political allies, campaign chairs, and fellow Democrats to withdraw their support.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As tensions escalate into violence, Tina retreats into the basement, seeking refuge from the chaos above.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
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The carrier retreated to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the island of Crete for maintenance work March 23.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the crew returns to Earth on Friday, Rise will eventually drop back to the ground to indicate gravity has returned.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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In the event tanker traffic begins to flow again, West Texas Intermediate oil futures should drop back into the $80s, or possibly $70s, short term.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Instead of hefting a heavy steel basket, Sanitation workers flip back half of the upper steel collar and pull out a lightweight plastic liner.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
16 Apr. 2026
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And all three had been pulled out of public schools by their parents to be homeschooled.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rea took the bulk of the innings following lefty Riley Martin’s perfect opening frame that required just six pitches to retire the top of the Phillies’ order.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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The reason many of the remaining adults on Medicaid are not working is that they are retired, serving as a caregiver, or too sick, KFF has found.—
Samantha Liss,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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